A Tribute to Lincoln 605.4
I wish we still celebrated Lincoln’s birthday. I’m an Abraham Lincoln groupie. By sheer good fortune, my son Justin was born on his birthday, my daughter Abrielle was named after him, and one of our dogs is named Lincoln. My favorite place in Washington D.C. is the Lincoln Memorial where I stand in awe of the magnificent eloquence of this self-educated, self-made man.
His ability to empathize and his genuine caring for others is constantly revealed in his letters and speeches. And though he felt the pain of others as deeply as any man could, fate and duty made him commander in chief during our nation’s bloodiest war.
Although we know him as an effective leader, in his own time he was more often ridiculed than revered, sometimes belittled as an unrefined bumpkin. Personally he was prone to self-doubt and depression.
I have no illusion that he was a perfect man. His flaws and his awareness of them make him all the more admirable in my eyes.
He frequently struggled between his keen sense of political pragmatism and his compelling idealism. Despite occasional compromises and mistakes, he is indisputably and justifiably one of the most esteemed men in history, leaving a legacy of honor, integrity, courage, compassion, and wisdom.
Lincoln understood the difference between real character and reputation, describing character as a tree and reputation as its shadow. His face is carved on Mount Rushmore and adorns both our penny and five-dollar bill.
But it’s Lincoln’s "tree," his character, that stands so tall and strong and honors our nation.
This is Michael Josephson reminding you that character counts.
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Often time when people are in leadership we sometimes forget that they are human. They too make mistakes. Not all mistakes are as long we learn from them Mistakes are neccesary in order they may mold into the person God intends for us to be.
Posted by: Ms Yates | February 12, 2009 11:50 AM
Many of us do still celebrate Lincoln's birthday, but not the same way we used to. No more National Holiday. Rather it is quiet reflection on Honest Abe’s remarkable accomplishments as we learned them in history class. Now we have President's day, where we lump at least two of our Nation's finest historical figures into one celebratory day. And, even then, I see that the mattress showrooms and car dealers are getting more mileage out of it than most other folks I know.
I think this is a strange irony, but we stopped celebrating Lincoln's birthday at the same time we started celebrating Martin Luther King's birthday. I know this as I share my birthday with MLK, and I was thrilled as a younger person to have my birthday fall on a MLK's national holiday. And, I am sorry to say, I did not take time to consider the relevance of MLK’s accomplishments on that, his, day until later in my life.
MLK too was a great man, no doubt. But at least in my opinion, not one who should be elevated to a historical stature above Lincoln’s. In my mind there was a trade, Lincoln's Birthday for MLK's. Both men are known for their strong character and their successes in promoting justice and tolerance. However, I can not rationalize the juxtaposition of the Emancipation Proclamation to "I've got a dream." The two just don’t compare, at least not in my mind. And, considering Lincoln’s other accomplishments, like keeping the United States a single, unified country, the comparison between the two men can not be balanced.
So my question to you Michael, though perhaps rhetorical, is this: Why was Lincoln's status demoted in terms of national historical importance, while greater relevance was assigned to MLK?
Posted by: Abe's Fan Too | February 13, 2009 9:41 AM
I remember watching plays about Lincoln as a youth.
Alistar (I do not remember his nam exactly) had a
show every Sunday.He often included shows about Lincoln.I especially remember the death of Ann Rutledge.I do not believe he ever completely releated
to another person.The actor was the spitting image of him.I especially remember the deep brooding understanding and perception.Herndon spoke of him dripping with melancholy.
Posted by: John K Purcell | February 15, 2009 6:41 PM